The Conception of Jesus Christ

Jesus in a manger

18 Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  19 Joseph, her fiance, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly.  20 As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit.  21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."  22 All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet:  23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us)."  24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife,  25 but she remained a virgin until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.   --Matthew 1: 18-25 New Living Translation
God is with us!  Can anyone believe that?  Can anyone understand that?  What are the implications of that statement?  How does that apply to our lives?  The circumstances under which Jesus was born are awesome!  He was born to a young lady, one who was as pure as a young lady could be.  She was betrothed to an equally awesome man.  He was one who knew, and handled, responsibility with extreme care.
I think God, the Father, chose a wonderful set of parents to foster His Son while here on earth.  Can you imagine being picked by the God of all gods to raise His Son?  I don't think I could be holy enough for it.  Of course, Mary and Joseph were not perfect.  No human being is perfect.
I pray that we understand what a miraculous concept this is.  Only God could send a child to come forth through a virgin female.  I know it's hard to believe, but God did it because He wanted to reconcile (bring together) humankind with Himself.  That's how much he loves us.  Let's show our gratitude by sharing that Good News with each other.   Thanks for reading this blog entry about the conception of Jesus Christ.  I appreciate you taking the time to read it.

 How about you, my readers?  As Christians, do you understand the idea of Jesus Christ being conceived within a virgin female?  If you are a Christ-believer, are you willing to share this message with others?  Are you bold enough to remind others about the true meaning of CHRISTmas?  I encourage you to read different versions of Matthew 1:18-25 to understand what the Bible says about the conception of Jesus Christ.    May the only true God of all gods bless us, my dear friends, with His wisdom and peace.  In Jesus' name.  Amen!  

This has been an entry for the Spiritual Sundays series. 

To compile this mini- bible study, I visited: http://www.biblestudytools.com/

Jesus' Appointment as High Priest

The Bible explains who Melchizedek was.

Background of Melchizedek:

1 This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against many kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him.   2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had won in the battle and gave it to Melchizedek. His name means "king of justice." He is also "king of peace" because Salem means "peace."   3 There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors -- no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.   I wonder what it would be like to be visited by such a high priest.  Would I immediately get to making a meal for him?  Would I sit there and ask him questions about my spiritual life?  Or would I listen as he tells me something life-changing?  Would he bless me with a special word from God?   Questions abound:  To understand who Jesus is, we must read what the word says of Jesus.  Jesus' purpose in our lives is to be our high priest.  What does that mean?  What does a high priest do?  What does that mean for my life?

6 But Melchizedek, who was not even related to Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God.   7 And without question, the person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person who is blessed.   8 In the case of Jewish priests, tithes are paid to men who will die. But Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on.   Indeed, when Abraham dealt with Melchizedek, the high priest, Abraham was blessed.  I love God's blessings in my life.  If Jesus is my high priest, and I obey His instructions, He will be bless me immensely.  The same thing can happen to you, too, my readers.  Turn to Jesus when you need God's blessings.   Christ is compared to Melchizedek:

 16 He [Jesus Christ] became a priest, not by meeting the old requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed.   17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he said of Christ, "You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek."   18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless.   19 For the law made nothing perfect, and now a better hope has taken its place. And that is how we draw near to God.   A source of life (God, the Father), which cannot be destroyed, created Jesus.  Jesus is a forever priest, just like Melchizedek.  In fact, Jesus is the Word that was with God when He created the earth and everything in it.  Because God put aside the weak priesthood (human in their sinful flesh), we now have Jesus.  Through Jesus, our mediator, we have a bridge to God, the Father.  God says Jesus is the forever priest:  20 God took an oath that Christ would always be a priest, but he never did this for any other priest.   Even the psalmist knew of Melchizedek.  The psalmist knew of Jesus' role as high priest in our lives.  Melchizedek was a prototype of Jesus.  That is how the psalmist could draw the comparison between the two.

21 Only to Jesus did he [God] say, "The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: 'You are a priest forever.'"   22 Because of God's oath, it is Jesus who guarantees the effectiveness of this better covenant.   --Hebrews 7: 1-3, 6-8, 16-22 New Living Translation  God, the Father, appointed His Son as High Priest over all.  Jesus, in his infallible, sinless self, is the only effective priest.  This promise (covenant, contract) that God created between us humans and Himself is forever and unbreakable.  Oh, what a wonderful present from God, the Father!  Our sins have kept us apart from our Heavenly Father, but...   God has made a way for us to be able to have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ--our high priest.

Thanks so much for reading today's blog entry about Jesus being our high priest.  I appreciate you taking the time to read it.

 How about you, my readers?  Did you know that Jesus was appointed as our high priest?  Have you accepted Jesus as your high priest?  I encourage you to read the Bible, especially Hebrews 7.  I think it's worth understanding this concept of God appointing His Son, Jesus, as our high priest.  Knowing this can help you seek Jesus when you need the help that only God, the Father, can provide.

 God bless you all, my dear friends, with His wisdom and peace.  In Jesus' name.  Amen! 

This has been an entry for the Spiritual Sundays series. 


To compile this mini- bible study, I visited: http://www.biblestudytools.com/

Jesus is Our High Priest

The Bible says Jesus was appointed our High Priest.

1 Now a high priest is a man chosen to represent other human beings in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers their sacrifices for sins.  2 And because he is human, he is able to deal gently with the people, though they are ignorant and wayward. For he is subject to the same weaknesses they have.  3 That is why he has to offer sacrifices, both for their sins and for his own sins.  4 And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He has to be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was.  5 That is why Christ did not exalt himself to become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father. "  6 And in another passage God said to him, "You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizedek."  7 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death. And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God.  8 So even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.  9 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.  10 And God designated him to be a High Priest in the line of Melchizedek.    --Hebrews 5: 1-10 New Living Translation

I feel very blessed to have Jesus in my life.  I have depended on Him when there were no friends around.  I have cried out to Him when there was no one to talk to.  I have never been disappointed by Him.  I trust only Him and no one else.
I love to read these Bible verses about Jesus being our High Priest.  I feel like I'm on top of the world.  To trust in Jesus and His father is the ultimate.  To know that God appointed Jesus as my High Priest is comforting.  To know that Jesus answered the call is awesome.
I know that it had to be a big deal for Jesus to walk on this earth as a human being.  Imagine being chosen to endure human emotions, temptations, and ridicule, even though you are the Son of God.   Imagine accepting the calling to be a high priest.  Jesus didn't just say yes to be honored by all humans.  He chose to serve, yes SERVE!
Because Jesus revered (highly respected) His father, Jesus was delivered of His pain and suffering.  Can you believe that Jesus cried out to His own father for help?  If Jesus could cry out to God, the Father, surely we can do the same.  Let's do that, in the name of Jesus, God's son.  
When we are hurting, let's cry out to God.  It doesn't matter what or how we say it.  It doesn't matter that we don't know what to ask for.  God understands our pain.  He wants to help us, just like He helped Jesus.

 Won't you, my beloved readers, turn to God now?  He's waiting for you to call on Him.

Thanks for reading today's blog entry about Jesus being our High Priest.  I appreciate you taking the time to read it.

 How about you, my readers?  Do you fully understand that Jesus is our High Priest?  Has anyone ever taken the time to explain it to you?  I encourage you to seek out individuals, like pastors and friends who know the Bible, to explain this concept of a high priest.  I think it's worth learning more about Jesus.  The knowledge can improve your outlook on life.

 God bless you all, my dear friends, with His wisdom and peace.  In Jesus' name.  Amen!
This has been an entry for the Spiritual Sundays series. 


To compile this mini- bible study, I visited: http://www.biblestudytools.com/